2010 FBA Legislative Agenda (download PDF)
2009 FBA Legislative Agenda and History (download PDF)
History of FBA
1986
Mike Lashe of Sarasota organized a bicycling advocacy group known as the "Spokespeople," which contacted and polled cycling advocates around the state.
1987
In February advocates met in Orlando's downtown library to found the original Florida Bicycle Association.
In its first eight months, the FBA sponsored "the largest bike event in the southeastern United States - the Grapenuts Bike Festival" and raised $11,000 through the festival and memberships.
1988
By year end, membership included 18 clubs, four bike shops and 159 families and individuals.
The first FBA president, independent filmmaker Robert Seidler, produced a series of TV public service announcements that were financed by a grant to the Spokespeople that Lasche obtained from the Sarasota County Foundation.
A bimonthly newsletter, Florida Bike Lanes, functioned as a statewide information clearinghouse. Annual meetings were combined with "casual country cooler rides" in central Florida towns such as Winter Haven and Mount Dora. The FBA maintained a legislative liaison and advocated for state funding of bicycle and traffic skills education in the schools. It also pushed for bicycle registration and mandatory helmets for children and supported the development of rail trails such as the Tallahassee-St. Marks.
1991
FBA began a drive for a "Share the Road" specialty license plate to raise funds for bicycle education and safety projects. Over 3,000 signatures were collected.
1995
FBA disbanded. An executive director had been hired, but was unsuccessful in raising funds. Board members were unable to continue devoting the time required for active leadership.
1996
On the day after Christmas an inattentive truck driver in Clay County drove into six cyclists, killing Margaret Raynal and Doug Hill of Gainesville. Outraged cyclists conferred by e-mail and resolved to reestablish the FBA. An e-mail list was started to facilitate communications. Initial discussions centered on forming one statewide organization that would address both on-road and off-road bicycling issues. In the end, two organizations emerged - Florida Off Road Bicycle Association (FORBA) would focus exclusively on off-road trails and the related land use issues, and Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) would focus on the broader spectrum of cycling and related issues.
1997
FBA organizers Henry Lawrence, Linda Crider, Kathy Oates, Lys Burden and Carol Wilson formed a new board of directors and started a brand new not-for-profit corporation. Like its predecessor, they named it Florida Bicycle Association, Inc. An organizational meeting was held at the Disney Coronado Springs resort in September; those meeting participants formed the nucleus of the new organization. Not long thereafter, Dwight Kingsbury joined the board of directors. One of FBA's first projects was to revive the "Share the Road" campaign. The upcoming renewal of ISTEA legislation also became a top priority focus.
1998
By spring it was becoming clear that FBA needed an executive director. The volunteer board by itself could not continue the effort necessary to sustain the organization. With little money in its coffers, FBA could not afford to hire an executive director. Carol Wilson, treasurer on the FBA board, volunteered to work as the E.D. with the goal of increasing FBA's membership and financial resources as quickly as possible. About this same time FBA received a determination letter from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) educational and charitable nonprofit corporation.
A new quarterly newsletter for FBA was launched by Mighk Wilson, named the Florida Bicycle Messenger. Henry Lawrence and Randy Morton established FBA's first web site. Kathy Oates organized FBA's first Bike Action workshop in St. Petersburg. FBA's first annual meeting was held in conjunction with the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival. Henry Lawrence, the first president of the new FBA passed the gavel to Linda Crider, who agreed to serve a second term on the board as President. Art Ackerman, Tina Russo and Dan Moser joined the FBA board. The "Share the Road" tag campaign headed by Henry Lawrence, which began to lose steam over the summer, was reinvigorated by Jimmy Carnes, executive director of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Jimmy worked with Bike Florida, Inc., FBA and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to secure the $30,000 initial funding, to finish collection of the 10,000 petition signatures, and to help find sponsorship in the Florida House and Senate for the necessary legislative bills to authorize the tag.
By the end of 1998, FBA had grown to 179 members, including eight bicycle clubs. Near the end of 1998 FORBA approached FBA about the idea of uniting FORBA and FBA into one organization. The FORBA board realized the tremendous commitment of time and money that it takes to run an organization, and felt that it was in FORBA's best interest to become a part of FBA.
1999
The union between FBA and FORBA was finalized at the FORBA board meeting on February 27 in Palm Bay. FORBA would now stand for Florida Off Road Bicycle Advocates, a committee of the Florida Bicycle Association. Bob Michaels, president of FORBA, became the newest member of the FBA board.
1999 proved to be a banner year for Florida Bicycle Association. By the end of the year, membership had increased to 345 individual and family members, 13 bicycle clubs and 13 other corporate or government members for a total of 371 members. Many club, corporate and individual donors provided significant support to FBA in 1999, including an anonymous stock donation that brought FBA over $7,700.
The financial support and the enthusiastic involvement of members and the FBA board of directors combined to produce successful results in 1999 including:
- Partnering with Bike Florida, Inc. to obtain the signatures, funding and legislation necessary for the Share the Road tag. (The tag should be available in spring 2000!)
- Hosting of Bike Action workshops in cooperation with local governments in Orlando, Jacksonville, the Panhandle (Destin), Broward County (Davie), Pinellas County (St. Petersburg) and Key West, reaching over 130 people with the "how to" of bicycle advocacy. The Bike Action workshops were primarily funded by a safety grant from FDOT.
- Hosting a Bicycle Friendly Communities roundtable in conjunction with Bike Florida's Share the Road Rally
- Production of four quarterly issues of the Florida Bicycle Messenger, sent to all members plus a courtesy mailing list (Thanks to Randy Williams, production editor for the Messenger.)
- Set up of FBA's web site at www.floridabicycle.org (Thanks to Roger Pierce, web master.)
- Successful application to the Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office for continued funding into 2000
- Participation by FBA in the update process of the State of Florida's long range transportation plan, the 2020 Florida Transportation Plan
The FBA board was expanded from a maximum of seven members to eleven members. New board members in 1999 were Randall Williams from Casselberry who is also production editor of the FBA Messenger, and Hal Downing, an attorney in Orlando. It is notable that all of the six board members who served in 1999 wished to continue on the board in 2000 The FBA board ended 1999 with eight members.
FBA also grew by two staff members. Paul Hardy from Apopka was FBA's new Program Director. Deb DeVoe from Altamonte Springs became FBA's part time membership director. Deb handles individual and family memberships.
2000
A major accomplishment was a law enforcement booklet [click the link for the 2007 version. A 2007 guide for pedestrian laws enforcement is here ] intended for distribution to law enforcement officers across the state. The booklet contains information on the “hows” and “whys” of enforcing for bicycle safety, including a summary of all the relevant Florida statutes.
Thanks to Tina Russo, FBA President, for her early research that helped kick off the project, to Paul Hardy for continuing the project and to Mighk Wilson, who finalized the booklet based on input from many sources including Pat Pieratte, Theo Petritsch and Dwight Kingsbury in the FDOT Safety Office, Dr. Linda Crider, and Paul Casazza, a police officer on FBA’s advisory board. Thanks also goes to Randall Williams, also on FBA’s board, who readied the booklet for final printing.
FBA underwent some staffing changes in 2000. Carol Wilson stepped down as Executive Director in May, although she continued to perform the essential administrative duties of the organization on a volunteer basis. She will continue in 2001 as FBA’s bookkeeper. Paul Hardy departed as Program Director in September. We appreciate Paul and Linda Hardy’s energy and commitment to FBA’s programs. Lyndy Lyle Moore joined the Board of Directors.
2001
Laura Hallam became Executive Director, and two new members, Duke Breitenbach and Mighk WIilson, joined the board. The expansion of membership gave birth to greater advocacy efforts and a broader educational program. Bike Action Workshops were been held in many cities around the state and resulted in the formation of citizen bicycle advocacy groups that were winning new victories for bicyclists. More workshops were planned for 2002 on an as-requested basis concentrating on areas of the state that had high crash activity. FBA supported the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education program and worked cooperatively with Bike Florida on the annual Share the Road Rally and Bicycle Summit.
Statewide communication links for bicyclists were improved via the quarterly newsletter, The Florida Bicycle Messenger, the web site, two e-mail lists and an electronic newsletter, FBA News.
2002
The 3rd printing of the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide resulted with a total of 26,500 copies in circulation.
A training program and video for law enforcement personnel was developed to complement the guide.
Share the Road license plates generated over $155,000 since Summer 2000 with $59,000 benefiting FBA.
Share the Road mini-grants were established to provide funds for programs that focus on motorist and bicyclist education and awareness of proper, legal roadway sharing.
Road 1 workshops and other bicycle safety education workshops were established.
FBA had a presence at over 50 events.
FBA established an asset account to receive gifts of securities and planned giving.
FBA was approved for another Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $43,862 from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Membership increased by 25% with plans to launch another membership campaign in February 2003.
2003
Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide – 4th printing; over 30,000 copies in circulation.
Florida Bicycling Street Smarts Riding Confidently, Legally and Safely – 10,000 copies made possible by funding from the Florida “Share the Road” license plate program and the State Safety Office of the Florida Department of Transportation.
Bike ‘N Ped Driver Ed kits – 2000 copies; cooperative venture between FBA, Bike Florida, Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program, and Florida Technology Transfer Center to increase awareness among motorists about laws for bicyclists and pedestrians and to learn how to properly share the road with all users.
Bicycle Safety education workshops in cooperation with Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program and League of American Bicyclists.
Bicycle Safety PSA’s: “Get out and ride”; “Ride with traffic flow” available on VHS and BETA (English, Spanish, Closed-captioned).
“Right on by” bicycle law enforcement video to justify why traffic law enforcement is the key to prevent bicycle crashes.
Education and enforcement go hand in hand in promoting legal roadway sharing by all users. FBA plans to conduct more bicycle safety education workshops throughout the state in 2004.
2006
Creation of Florida Discovery Bicycling Center tours.
Group Riding Ethics and the Law DVD.
Combination Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide.
Re-print of Florida Bicycling Street Smarts.
Triple feature plus more Bicycle/Motorist Law Enforcement DVD.
Bicycle Law Enforcement – Officer Training program curriculum.
2nd Annual Pro Bike®/Pro Walk Florida conference.
Middle & Elementary School Bicycle Helmet program.
Alternative Transportation Education program.
Bicycle safety education training to adults and children.
2007
FBA celebrated 10 years of service to Florida’s cyclists.
Educated nearly 400 students in the Alternative Transportation Education Program — 3-hour course covering pedestrian and bicycle safety, practical bicycling, transit and other issues important to individuals who have lost their right to drive a motor vehicle. The program was offered in Seminole County with plans to expand to other counties.
Presented the third annual Pro Bike® Pro Walk Florida conference in Orlando
- 30 breakout sessions including mobile workshops
- 3 pre-conference sessions including the Traffic Justice Coalition of Florida
Conducted Florida Discovery Bicycling Center tours. Program was fine-tuned to combine bicycle safety education and small group touring.
Created a Trips for Kids Chapter in Orlando.
Target audience includes foster children or children in need.
Program takes children on weekend adventures to provide opportunities to explore the outdoors and develop bicycling skills.
Produced and distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety education materials including the following:
- Combination Bicycle and Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide
- Florida Bicycling Street Smarts
- Elementary and Middle School Helmet Program DVD’s
- Triple feature plus more Bicycle/Motorist Law Enforcement DVD
- Group Riding and Ethics of the Law DVD
Educated children and adults at a variety of workshops.
Promoted FBA programs and the Share the Road license plate at special events.
2008
Redesigned and upgraded websites, electronic newsletter and quarterly newsletter Messenger .
Educated over 500 students in the Alternative Transportation Education Program.
Presented the forth annual Pro Bike®/Pro Walk Florida conference in St. Petersburg offering 23 sessions and 3 pre-conference workshops. Keynote speakers included Dan Burden, Ian Lockwood, Bob Chauncey, and Marketing for Change presenters Sara Isaac and Tait Martin. National and state updates were delivered by Sharon Roerty, National Center for Bicycling and Walking; Andy Clarke, League of American Bicyclists; Dennis Scott, Florida Department of Transportation; Jena Brooks, Office of Greenways and Trails; and Ken Bryan, Florida Field Office for Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Plans to present the inaugural Florida Bike Summit April 2, 2009 in Tallahassee.
Continued a Trips for Kids Chapter in Orlando.
Produced and distributed bicycle and pedestrian safety education materials including the Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide, Florida Bicycling Street Smarts, a variety of DVD’s, and new program/membership brochure.
Educated children and adults at a variety of workshops.
Promoted FBA programs and the Share the Road license plate at special events.
2009
Began Phase II of the Bicycle Law Enforcement Program to enhance Officers’ knowledge of the laws about bicycling and to assist agencies with bicycling education and enforcement operations. The program will be comprised of Training Modules, an Officer Course, and a Training Officer Course.
Created the first FBA Chapter in Northeast Florida - the First Coast Chapter – to serve the needs of Duval, Nassau, Clay and St. Johns counties. Chapter operations will focus on regional issues with an emphasis on safety education.
Developed a “Civility on the Road in Metro Orlando Social Marketing Plan” made possible by a grant from the Winter Park Health Foundation.
Educated over 600 students in the Alternative Transportation Education Program bringing the four-year total since inception to 1643 students.
Presented the inaugural Florida Bike Summit April 2, 2009 in Tallahassee.
Continued a Trips for Kids Chapter in Orlando.
Collaborated with the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycling Safety Resource Center to print and distribute safety education materials including the Florida Bicycle/Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide, Florida Bicycling Street Smarts, and a variety of FBA produced DVD’s.
Promoted FBA and the Share the Road license plate with a bike shop hang tag and stuffers distributed to shops statewide by bicycle dealer representatives.
Continued ongoing safety education at a variety of workshops.
Plans to present the 2010 Florida Bike Summit April 8 in Tallahassee and the 2010 ProBike/ProWalk Florida Conference May 11-13 in Lakeland.
Momentum from the Civility on the Road social marketing campaign at year-end resulted in a two-year Capacity Building grant from the Winter Park Health Foundation to create an FBA Central Florida Chapter doing business as Bike/Walk Central Florida. Chapter operations will focus on public awareness campaigns to encourage bicycling, especially for novice riders to build empathy for the cycling experience, plus increase awareness and improve attitudes toward safely passing cyclists on the road.
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